Switch for overhead conductors



(No Model.) 2 Shets-Sheet 1.

I G. J. VAN DEPOELE. SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD GONDUGTORS.

Patented-Nov. 20, 1888.

I Elm mew toz 62725-268 .Imwe oew N. PFI'ERS Phnlmlilhngnpher. Wnihingion, \10.

UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

SWlTCH FOR GVERHEAD CONDUCTORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393.278, dated November 20, 1.888.

Application filed August 22, 1885. Serial No. 263,447. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. VAN DE- POELE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex, State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches for Overhead Conductors, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to improvements in switches for suspended electric conductors. My improved switches are also applicable to other uses and may be employed in connection with electric conductors otherwise placed; but for illustration I have shown them applied to aerial lines only.

The arrangement, construction, and operation of my said invention will be hereinafter fully described, and referred to in the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved switch. Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, showing a slightly-different form thereof. Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view, and Fig. 4 a top plan view, of switches embodying another form of my invention. Fig. 5 is a view in elevation, partly in section, of the form shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an end view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a view on the line 7 7 of Fig. 3. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively views in plan and elevation of a crossing-switch. Fig. 10 is a plan 'view of an adjustable crossing-switch. Fig. 11 is an elevation, partly in section, of the adjustable switch shown in Fig. 10.

Similar letters denote like parts throughout.

As illustrated in the drawings, A is the main conductor entering the switch, and A and B are the main and branch conductors issuing therefrom.

As seen in Fig. 1, the main conductor A is permanently secured to the under side of a rib, O, which rib is secured or formed integral with a plate or surface, F, and terminates before reaching the central portion thereof. From the opposite end of the plate F extend two ribs, D E. The ribs 0 D E are separated substantially as are the ribs 0 D E, (seen in inverted plan View, Fig. 3,) so that the trolley entering by one can pass from one to the other, according to the direction in which the car is traveling. The spaces between the 'ends of the conductors A A B are adjusted to suit the width of the contactwheel and allow it to pass from either one of the ribs or conductors to the other one across the triangular space between their extremities without striking against or engaging the wrong conductor.

The plate or surface F is provided and so located as to bridge the space between the ends of the conductors or ribs, which themselves are supported by the ribs already referred to, and said plate is desirably formed integral with the ribs, so that the plate and ribs may be formed in a single casting. This is not essential, however, as it will be understood that the ribs and plate may be separately formed and subsequently assembled in any convenient manner. As shown, however, the plate F and ribs 0 D E are integral, and, moreover, the plate F is for convenience extended somewhat beyond its actually essential limits, and also provided with downwardly-extending side flanges, f, which are flared outwardly at each end, so as to assist in guiding a rough or worn trolley-wheel through the switch. The depth of the ribs from the plate F usually corresponds with the depth of the grooves in the trolley-wheel, so that as the trolley enters the switch its flanges will touch or almost touch the inside of the plate F, and when passing across the open space between the ends of the ribs and conductors the flanges of the trolley will be in actual contact with the under side of the plate, so that the electrical contact will not be interrupted. Furthermore, by these means I provide for the passage of the trolley-wheel through the switch without any change in its horizontal plane, so that no j erking, jumping, and consequent sparking, will take place.

In Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 I have shown a form differing slightly from Fig. 1, in that the ribs are somewhat deeper, and the main conduetor is arranged to cross the upper side of the plate F, instead of being cut, as in Figs. 1 and 2, and attached to the lower side of the ribs 0 D E,or directly to the lower side of the plate, as indicated in Fig. 2. As seen in Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, ribs 0 D E areformed upon the underside of the plate F, their inner ends being separated by such intervals as will permit the proper and free passage of the trolley-wheels between them. The outer ends of the said ribs are tapered or sloped upward, and extend from the plate F in the same direction as the main conductors. The upper surfaces of the ribs 0' D E are longitudinally grooved to receive the main conductors A. A B, which are secured therein by soldering, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 7, or by clamps a, which may be formed integral with the said ribs, or by any other suitable means. The crossing shown in Figs. 8 and 9 comprises four equidistant arms or ribs, H II I 1, which are centrally secured to a disk or flat surface, J. The lower edges of the arms or ribs H H I I are grooved to receive the main conductors h h t i, and their lower edge extends downward and terminates near the circumference of the disk J, leaving sufficient space between the conductor-supporting portions of the said arms to allow for any desired adjustment of the ends of the conductor.

In adjusting the crossing, one of the 0011- d uctorsfor example, It h'-is permanently secured in the grooves in the lower sides of the arms II H, after which the central portion of said conductor is cut away and the ends rounded off, substantially as indicatedin Fi 9, leaving sufficient space for a trolleywheel to pass transversely between them. The other main COlltlllCtOI,i i,is thcn similarly secured to the other pair of arms, and also cut away to permit the passage of a trolley-wheel at right angles thereto.

From this arrangement it will be understood that as the trollcy-whccl leaves the extremity of the conductor by which it approached the crossing it will be in contact with the under side of the plate J, crossing the space between the ends of the other conductor,with the under side of the plate J as a bearing-surface. To prevent lateral deflection of the trolley-wheel when crossing the plate .I in either direction, instead of the side flanges, f, a central conical stud, j, is provided, and the ends of the conductors are so arranged with respect to the study that as the trolleywheel leaves one conductor it must ongage the stud, and thereby be prevented from lateral displacement until it has advanced far enough to engage the other extremity of its proper conductor. I

In Figs. 10 and 11 is shown a dcviccsimilar to that just described, except that it is made in two parts and adj ustable to any angle whatever. In the form shown the arms K K are formed integral. with the plate J, and are cut away at their central portion, the dcsircd strength of support being provided by the central plate, J. The arms L L are formed with a central enlargement, M, arranged to fit down upon the upper surface of the plate J between the inner ends of the arms K K. The arms L L are pivotally secured upon the plate .I by a screwbolt, m, passing through the part M and into the plate J. It will be obvious that when the scrcwm is loosened the angular positions of the arms may be adjusted as desired, when by tightening the said screw they will be permanently held in desired relationship to form a crossing of any angle. In this instance the conductors are preferably secured to the under side of the arms before being severed, the portions to be cut away and the distance between the extremities of the conductors being determined by the angle at which the two pairs of arms are set.

It will be understood that in the sketches the side flanges, f, operate to permit lateral displacement in a manner similar and equivalent to the projection j in the crossings, and I therefore claim both forms as obviously equivalent means to the same end. The flanges can be substituted for the projcction,and vice versa.

In Fig. 2 is seen a modification in which the main conductors are cut of the same lengths and arranged in substantially the same manner as described with reference to Fig. 1, except that they are attached directly to the under side of the plate F. Vith this arrangement the trolley-wheel will on reaching the exterior of said plate be deflected downward, and on that account the arrangement is not as good as the other forms already described and which I prefer; but such an arrangement constitutes the simplest operative form of my invention and serves to show how the same may be modified without departing from the spirit thereof.

Other minor modifications and changes may be made by persons skilled in the art, and I therefore do not limit myself to the construction herein described and shown by way of illustration.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. A switch for electric conductors, comprising a contact plate or surface and conductorsin electrical connection therewith, said conduetors being cut to allow the passage of a traveling contact device between their ends and in contact with the plate, snlistantially as described.

2. A switch for electric conductors, comprising a contact plate or surface, ribs or arms attached to said plate and separate at their inner extremities to allow a contact device to pass from one to the other between them in contact with the plate, and electrical conductors secured to the ribs or arms, substantially as described.

3. A switch for electric conductors, comprising a contact plate or surface, ribs or arms electrically connected therewith, and conduct ors secured to the ribs or arms and arranged to permit the passage of a contact-wheel from one to the other across the space between said conductors bridged by the plate or surface, substantially as described.

4-. A crossing or switch for electric conductors, comprising arms connected with and radiating from a plate or surface in electrical connection with said arms, and a conductor at tachcd to each arm, the extremity of an entering conductor being located opposite to the continuation of said conductor leaving the crossing, substantially as described. a

5. A crossing or switch for electric conduct ors, comprising arms connected with and radiating from a plate or surface in electrical connection with said arms, a conductor at tached to each arm, the extremity of an entering conductor being located opposite to the continuation of said conductor leaving the crossing, and a projection or flanges upon the plate to prevent lateral displacement of the, trolley-wheel, substantially as described.

6. A crossing or switch for electric conductors, comprising arms connected with and radiating from a centrally-located plate or surface in electrical connection with said arms, a conductor attached to each arm, the extremity of an entering conductor being located opposite to the continuation of said conductor leav ing the crossing, and a projection upon the central plate arranged to engage the contact device to prevent lateral displacement thereof when passing upon the plate between the ends of the conductors, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I hereto affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES J. VAN DEPOELE.

Witnesses:

FRANKLAND J ANNUS, O. W. DUsTIN. 

